| Molten Man | |
|---|---|
.png) Mark Raxton as the Molten Man as he appeared on a pin-up ofThe Amazing Spider-Man Annual #13 (August 1979). Art byKeith Pollard | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Amazing Spider-Man #28 (September 1965) |
| Created by | Stan Lee (writer) Steve Ditko (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Mark Raxton |
| Species | Human (currently) Human mutate (formerly) |
| Team affiliations | TheExterminators Alchemax |
| Notable aliases | Burning Man |
| Abilities | (Raxton)
(Molten Man)
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Molten Man (Mark Raxton) is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics.[1] Once a chemical engineer who longed to get rich, Mark Raxton was caught in an accident that saw his body get covered by an experimental organic-liquid metalalloy, which granted him superpowers, including the ability to generate extreme heat and radiation. Turning to a life of crime, he started off as an enemy of thesuperheroSpider-Man, but eventually was redeemed. He is also the stepbrother ofLiz Allan.
The character has made appearances in several forms of media, including animated series and video games. Additionally, an illusionary creature based on Molten Man appears in theMarvel Cinematic Universe filmSpider-Man: Far From Home.
The character was created byStan Lee andSteve Ditko and first appeared inThe Amazing Spider-Man #28 (September 1965).[2]
Mark Raxton was born inNew York City. He was a scientist who could not wait to use his skills to become rich and once worked atOscorp Industries as the laboratory assistant toSpencer Smythe, creator of theSpider-Slayers. Raxton and Smythe developed an experimental new liquid metallicalloy for the Spider-Slayers from aradioactivemeteor, but Raxton in his greed and impatience, attempted to steal it and sell it, ignoring Smythe's protests that it needed further testing. In the ensuing fight with Smythe in the laboratory, Raxton spilled the liquid alloy on himself, turning his skin gold.[3] Fearing for his life, Raxton ran for the nearest hospital, only to discover that the alloy had changed him for the better when he angrily punched an irate motorist's hood, buckling it. Realizing the great potential his new abilities afforded him, Raxton, calling himself the Molten Man, turned to crime to further his monetary gains. Peter Parker, as Spider-Man, nearly missed hishigh schoolgraduation to stop Molten Man's first crime spree.[4] Raxton was later released from jail, only to continue his criminal activities. However, he was once again defeated by Spider-Man.[5]
In his third encounter with Spider-Man, it was revealed that Peter's friendLiz Allan was Raxton's stepsister, and the Molten Man's metallic skin had begun to give off intense heat and consume itself. He steals meteor fragments from a museum to attempt a cure. An encounter with Spider-Man resulted in his submergence in the pollutedEast River, which temporarily reversed the deterioration.[6]
In another encounter, Raxton broke into a pharmaceutical company to steal chemicals which would reverse his condition permanently. When the procedure failed, he went berserk and demanded to speak to Liz, who agreed to talk to him and also tried to convince him to surrender. Liz was saved by Spider-Man and the Molten Man became buried beneath the laboratory.[7] He later resurfaced at the same site and once again sought his stepsister. Spider-Man prevented the Molten Man from hurting her, knocking him into a swimming pool which extinguished Molten Man's flames and cooled his skin. He was then taken to theVault, a prison for superhuman criminals.[8]
Raxton realized that his stepsister was the only member of his family who had not abandoned him. He was eventually released from the Vault and approached Liz to apologize. Spider-Man misunderstood his intentions and battled him once more. Reconciled with Raxton, Liz and her husbandHarry Osborn gave Raxton a job as head of security at Osborn Industries.[9] The Molten Man later teamed up with Spider-Man and the second Green Goblin againstTombstone andHammerhead.[10] The Molten Man was then kidnapped along with Liz, Normie Osborn and Spider-Man by Harry Osborn, who had suffered a mental relapse, making him the Green Goblin once again. The Molten Man was saved by Spider-Man.[11] Molten Man and Spider-Man have since become friends, and the Molten Man has occasionally used his powers to aid Spider-Man against other supervillains.[volume & issue needed] A few times he has been a bodyguard for Peter Parker's friends and family when disasters overwhelm the city.[volume & issue needed]
Inthe months following theClone Saga, Raxton was abducted byNorman Osborn, theGreen Goblin, and brainwashed. Under mind control, the Molten Man attacked and killed Osborn's henchmanAlison Mongrain, the only person who knew of the location of Peter and Mary Jane's baby.[12] Although the Molten Man has since recovered from the mind control, he still bears a heavy burden of guilt over the incident.[volume & issue needed]
Sometime after Harry Osborn's death, Raxton is summoned when mysterious forces kidnap Liz Allan's son,Normie Osborn. The Molten Man uses his brawn and brains to help Spider-Man and theDaily Bugle reporterBen Urich uncover what happened. Raxton is later pressed into a supervillain group again when theChameleon approaches him and threatens to kill Normie if Raxton does not join his 'Exterminators'. Raxton is consequently forced to attack Liz Allan.[volume & issue needed]
During theCivil War storyline, the Molten Man and theScarecrow are used as bait forCaptain America'sSecret Avengers, only for thePunisher to arrive. Raxton is left in critical condition after being attacked by the Punisher.[13]
Raxton next appears, still in poor condition, under the care of Liz Allan. When Harry Osborn comes to visit Liz and Normie, he and Liz argue. Hearing Liz speak Harry's name, Raxton awakens and attacks him, screaming that Harry has hurt his family for the last time and will "die for real". Spider-Man intervenes, but he has trouble fighting Raxton, whose powers have grown out of control. Spider-Man manages to trap Raxton inasphalt, and Harry provides him with a cure that Oscorp had been working on upon using volunteer Charlie Weiderman, the other "Molten Man" who destroyed Peter's house at the same day Spider-Man joined theNew Avengers prior to Civil War. The cure is successful, returning Raxton to his human form while retaining his powers. Harry builds Raxton a special suit, using a part of the alloy and his DNA, to help him control his powers.[14]
Liz Allan later becomes the head ofAlchemax and uses its technology to completely cure Raxton, removing his powers. He is constantly monitored, but is no longer considered a threat to society and joins Alchemax's security force.[15]
Originally, Mark Raxton was given unnatural powers after the exposure to an experimental liquid metal alloy obtained from a meteor discovered bySpencer Smythe. His body completely absorbed its organic properties, turning his external tissues into a solid metallic substance. As a result, the Molten Man possesses superior strength and high resistance to physical injury. His skin is composed of africtionlessmetal that causes things to slip off, including Spider-Man's webbing. Raxton's metallic fingers are sensitive enough topick locks (making him an expert safe cracker).[5] He can generate intense flames, incinerating anybody who tries to touch him or shooting fire-like blasts at his foes. At one time, his body became molten lava, allowing him to project radiation and heat up to 300 °F (149 °C).[6] In this form, the Molten Man's metallic skin would reach a critical stage and eventually dissolve.[7]
Additionally, Molten Man is a college graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree inchemical engineering.
An alternate universe variant of Mark Raxton from Earth-1610 appears in theUltimate Marvel universe. This version is a guitarist in thepunk rock band Molten Man.[16][17]
A member of theElementals inspired by Molten Man appears inSpider-Man: Far From Home.[20] DirectorJon Watts described his take for the creation: "There's so many Spider-Man villains from the rogues gallery that I wanted to dig a little bit deeper than what anyone might be expecting...villains likeHydro-Man and Molten Man, who may not be on the highest list. But that opened up such amazing visual possibilities and poses really dangerous challenges for Spider-Man".[21] Identified as the Fire Elemental,Mysterio claimed it used its abilities to feed off of metal and energy from Earth's core to destroy hisEarth. The Fire Elemental attacks Prague during theSignal Festival, thoughSpider-Man and Mysterio defeat it. Not long after, Spider-Man discovers that the Elementals were illusions created by Mysterio and his fellow ex-Stark Industries employees to obtainTony Stark's technology and fraudulently establish Mysterio as a hero.
Molten Man appears as anon-player character and boss inMarvel: Ultimate Alliance 2.[22][18]
Mark Raxton was a corrupt partner of [Spencer] Smythe's who worked with him on a liquid metal alloy project.
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